Maple Ridge’s Darby Steeves is off to Germany next month, where she will be part of the dance team representing Canada at the International Dance Organization’s Jazz and Modern Dance World Championship.
Steeves, 16, began dancing at age three, and has been a student at Peggy Peat’s School of Dance for the past 13 years.
“They are like a second family to me there,” said Steeves. “It’s a real community.”
She began competing at age six, and has competed in a handful of international events as well.
The IDO World Championship is by far the biggest event she has competed in, and Steeves said she is looking forward to the opportunity to meet other dancers from around the world.
“When you get to my age, the community of dancers gets a lot smaller,” she said. “Its great to have this opportunity.”
When Steeves isn’t training for competitions or instructing classes at the local dance school, she can be found in costume as the mascot for Dinotown in Pitt Meadows, Dusty, and at events at her high school, Thomas Haney secondary, where she plays Thor.
Steeves hopes to become a school teacher someday, and continue to teach dancing as well.
“Dancing is my passion, so I’d love any way to continue,” she said.
